Sometimes it takes an army to help those in need.
Everyone hears that old familiar bell during the holidays, but not everyone may realize that those coin-filled kettles add up, and they make a difference in people’s lives.
The La Plata County Salvation Army is an entirely volunteer-based force working for those in need, and with an estimated 600 volunteers, it is able to get things done. Nationally, some Salvation Army chapters use paid employees.
In 2013, the Durango-based group raised about $111,000 in donations, and most came in the form of loose change collected around the holidays.
“We’re 100 percent volunteer,” said Judy Duke, chairwoman of the board of directors. “So, that is huge.”
The volunteer army is not new. In 1852, in London, a minister named William Booth set out on foot to spread his gospel. By 1874, Booth’s Christian mission had 1,000 volunteers, dubbed a volunteer army by a London printer. Because he already was known as the “General” in his “Hallelujah Army,” he found a thematic match and coined the name “Salvation Army” for the group of bell-ringers. Today, 1.5 million people are ringing bells across the world.
Not all units are all volunteer, but locally, Duke said the community gets involved with all-volunteer support.
“Our community is just like that. It’s nice to have such enthusiasm,” she said.
With 18 board members who work from home, the group meets and decides how to divvy the budget. Largely, money goes to emergency housing.
“Most of our money goes to rent,” she said. “About 60 percent of it goes to helping people stay in their houses.”
That can be $1,000 weekly.
But The Salvation Army doesn’t go around handing out checks. Beneficiaries most show they are in need and then receive vouchers or direct payment to help in areas where they fall short.
“We try to give it where it will really make a difference,” Duke said. “We try to look at everything we do, even if it’s just a $10 food voucher for diapers or formula, a $25 gas voucher to get to a job interview or $20 to go the market. It makes a huge difference.”
She said 50 percent of vouchers go toward gas, with $25 being the largest gas voucher available.
She also said the group just bought $1,000 in bus passes.
“The system works perfectly,” she said. “It’s vetted very carefully. They have to show an eviction notice, they have to show their pay stubs.”
The group donates $1,000 annually to the Boys and Girls Club of La Plata County, helping fund summer trips for kids who may not be able to afford travel expenses.
About $500 to $700 a week goes to gas, food and prescription drug vouchers, now available at Manna Soup Kitchen.
The Salvation Army also gives monthly to Southwest Transitions, a program dedicated to helping parolees start anew.
“Prison ministry has long been an important mission of the SA. And, in Durango, we are fortunate to have a transitional house which can help up to 12 men with housing, job placement and support. I’ve been out there, and I think they do a great job. They help these men get a fresh start,” Duke said.
She said the group does not discriminate.
While the group runs itself, it does work with other local entities to find solutions for struggling families. The Community Emergency Assistance Coalition is made up of several entities working toward solving housing issues in La Plata County. Through the network, groups work together so they can help people in any way possible.
“It’s really neat because we’re all at the table. It’s a great system,” Duke said.
The loose change people put in the kettles helps change lives, she said. And donating locally helps keep the money in the community.
They do pay a 10 percent tithe to the national organization, but the tithe is only assessed on kettle collections. Other direct donations stay local in full.
Jeff Gann rang a bell at south City Market on Sunday, “to do something to for the holidays.” He said about half of grocery shoppers threw in some coins.
Durango High School sophomores Raeden Shanks and Chloe Ciotti rang bells at Walmart in Durango as part of the school’s Interact Club. They said they liked supporting people who could use a hand.
“I think it’s important that we help,” said Shanks, “because we are able to.”
bmathis@durangoherald.com
